- TKO 31 REVIEW

Bosse proved that he was the quicker and more aggressive puncher as the fight began. He landed his right hand a number of times squarely on Larenas’ jaw, even managing to drop him once to the canvas in round one. The fighter’s also exchanged the occasional low kick, but it was primarily a boxing duel. Larenas was looking in rough shape as the round came to a close as the 8,000 boisterous Montreal fans in attendance sang Bosse’s name.

Round two began much like Round one had ended with Bosse landing repeated right hands. Forty seconds into the round Bosse inadvertently thumbed Larenas’ right eye with a grazing punch. Larenas was allowed the full five minutes to recuperate and it appeared at times as if there was some question whether the fight would continue. When the fight restarted Larenas began to employ an improved game plan. As Bosse’s most dangerous weapon appeared to be his right hand, Larenas kept his left arm outstretched, protecting his left jaw from Bosse’s overhand right. Larenas also began to clinch Bosse at every opportunity. Bosse still managed to land a few right uppercuts underneath Larenas’ outstretched arm and was again the clear winner of the round.

Round 3 proved to be very different as Larenas’ aggressively pursued the takedown for the first time in the fight. He managed to tie up Bosse and trip him falling into his guard. He proceeded to land some meaningful elbows from half guard, eventually passing to the full mount. Bosse tried to buck him off by pressing on the hips, but to no avail. Larenas unleashed brutal ground and pound from a secured mount position until referee Yves Lavigne had seen enough and chose to stop the fight at 2:25 of Round 3.

MARK HOMINICK DEF. DANNY MARTINEZ BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

Undefeated Danny Martinez was stepping up in weight and in class as he took on former seven-time defending TKO Champion, Mark Hominick. Hominick was dominant from start to finish as he unleashed clean and powerful strikes. He did a lot of his damage with his left hook, even doubling up on the hook on a couple of occasions. Martinez was rocked and dropped to the canvas a number times resulting in one judge scoring the fight 30-24. Hominick was simply too quick for Martinez’s takedown attempts and continued the brutal assault for the full 15 minutes.

CHAD REINER DEF. STEPHANE DUBE BY ARMBAR AT 4:59 OF ROUND 1

Despite his pre-fight commentary, Reiner obviously wanted no part of Dube’s standup game. He immediately rushed Dube against the cage and secured the takedown. Reiner had Dube’s back a number of times, but Dube defended the rear naked choke well. Dube swept Reiner on a couple of occasions, but was unable to deliver any damaging strikes. After being stood up breifly, Reiner again took it to the mat. Reiner transitioned from a triangle choke to an armbar and Dube tapped almost simultaneously with the sound of the bell.

BEN GREER DEF. STEPHANE VIGNEAULT BY ARMBAR AT 1:26 OF ROUND 2

Vigneault was coming off a two year hiatus and had requested to fight only the best. Meanwhile, Greer was eager to vanquish the memories of his last TKO fight with Mark Hominick. Greer set up his takedowns intelligently with strikes as Vigneault couldn’t do much to avoid being taken down. Vigneault did manage to scramble back to his feet and had his own moments in the fight in what was primarily an entertaining grappling duel. For the brief time the fighters stood toe to toe it looked as if Vigneault was the more comfortable and versatile striker. However, Greer proved to be a little too much to handle on the ground, eventually securing an armbar to win the fight.

LANCE EVANS DEF. BOB LANDRY BY TKO AT 2:57 OF ROUND 1

Lance Evans, brother of Rashad, was making his return to TKO with Greg Jackson’s camp in full support. The fighters’ seemed to be pretty even on their feet, each landing a few punches, but nothing causing significant damage. However, once Evans decided to take the fight to the mat he clearly dominated the rest of the way. It was an uppercut from side position while Landry lay on his hands and knees that did all the damage. Landry signaled to the referee that he could not continue and the bout was halted.

THIERRY QUENNEVILLE DEF. YOON HEO BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

Quenneville executed a Mark Hominick style game plan by sticking and moving, avoiding almost all attempted takedowns from the submission specialist, Heo. Heo offered little offence while on their feet as he constantly moved forward, but seemed reluctant to strike. Quenneville, perhaps feeling in dire need of a win, played it safe even though every time he came forward it looked as though there was an opportunity to finish the fight. That said, there was one point where Yoon managed to get the takedown and took Quenneville’s back and began to work for the rear naked choke. Confusingly, infamous referee Phillipe Chartier, decided to stand the fighters back up after no longer than 20 seconds in the position. Nonetheless, it was a convincing victory for Quenneville.

YANNICK GALLIPEAU DEF. JOSH BITNER BY TKO AT 0:43 OF ROUND 2

Karate Champion, Gallipeau was making his mma debut against another young newcomer, Bitner. The fighters went toe to toe for the duration of the fight in one of the more entertaining contests of the evening. Bitner landed his shots, including several right hands. However, Gallipeau seemed to be the bigger and more explosive fighter as he dominated the clinch work and dictated where the fight took place. In the end, Bitner yielded to a flurry of power shots, including a couple of devastating uppercuts at which time the referee rightfully decided that it had been enough.

ALEXIS DAVIS DEF. VALERIE LETOURNEAU BY SPLIT DECISION

Davis proved her toughness in this fight as she imposed her will on Letourneau for most of the first and third round. However, Letourneau definitely had her moments in the second round and looked very close to finishing the fight by triangle choke on a few different occasions. At one point, Letourneau appeared to have sunk the triangle choke but chose to hit Davis with a downward elbow strike to the top of the head. The referee separated the fighters briefly, releasing Davis from the choke, only to tell them to continue the action almost immediately. It was an unusual decision by the referee to say the least. Davis survived the second round and came out strong in the third. It was an inside leg kick that surprised Letourneau dropping her to the mat thus allowing Davis to regain top position which she maintained for the duration of the last round.

GUILLAME LAMARCH DEF. STEPHANE BERDANEL BY ARMBAR AT 2:25 OF ROUND 1

Lamarche and Bernadel went toe to toe for the first minute of the fight in primarily a boxing duel. The striking exchanges were fairly even when Lamarche decided to try his luck on the ground. Bernadel defended intelligently until he found himself in a deep triangle choke and was forced to tap.

ADIL AYOUDI DEF. BEN GALLENT BY ARMBAR AT 1:45 OF ROUND 1

These two behemoths began the night of action at TKO 31. Gallent came out in sixth gear and looked to have Ayoudi in trouble early as he pestered him with punches standing and on the ground. Ayoudi survived the assault and managed to gain top position. Shortly thereafter he sunk an armbar which Gallent did not tap to, but which the referee felt was too deep to allow the action to continue.